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Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 25, 3 February 1863, Page 2

Yesterday the Resident Magistrate, assisted by a local J.P., went over and revised the list of gentlemen resident in the town and neighborhood who are liable to serve their country as jurymen at the Supreme Court. Trial by jury is a liberty which Britons justlyprize most dearly ; yet, somehow, everyone looks upon it as a decided misfortune should his name happen to be drawn from the ballot-box, and vigorous efforts are often made to obtain a release from the irksome, thankless duty. An opportunity for doing so will, we understand, be given on the 12th inst., and meanwhile the list will be open for inspection at the Cuurt-house, where anxious inquirers ; may satisfy themselves. "We arc not of those who deny the virtues of " cakes and ale," and who in consequence thereof think they are "not as other men ;" yet a peep into the records of our police cour^ would offer strong inducement to become a total abstainer. The habit of taking strong liquor to excess must be getting very prevalent when within a. few days the small population of this town can furnish two men who require medical treatment and confinement owing to immoderate indulgence. On Thursday last the case of one was heard before the Resident Magistrate, who could only grant release to the victim after four days of hospital Jregimen, and he is no sooner dismissed than another case, or rather tlip particulars of it, had to be considered by the bench, when the surgeon declared that a week would be required before an opinion on the sufferer's condition could be given. These sad blots on v/«. io^.ii ncmimheon n rp rlirrvtlv traceable to the foolish habit of " nobblorising" in senson and out of it, on all possible occasioiiSj and too frequently without anything like a reasonable excuse. It is to be hoped that every one seeking to bear a respectable character will set their faces sternly against this growing evil, and if not diminished, it certainly will bo checked. Example, whether for good or evil, is contagious ; and if the right thinking portion of the community only move in the right direction, those of weaker mind or resolution will feel constrained to follow. The services at the Church of England ! were not so largely attended on Sunday morning last as is usually the case. There is a little matter in connection with the establishment which might be easily altered. We allude to the admission of dogs within the building ; there were several walking about the church during morning service. On Thursday evening a melancholy accident j occurred at ltiverton. It appears that two young lads were playing on the jetty, when one of them, it is not exactly known how, feU j into the River. oSTo one was present at the time besides his companion, v little boy of six or seven years of age, who ran homo and gave information. Nearly half an hour elapsed before anyone capable of rendering assistance was on the spot. The boy's cap was found on the beach, but up to the present the body has not been recovered. The deceased's name was, we believe, Abel (surname). He was ten years of age. The Wakatip appears, at times, to put in a fair claim to be regarded as an inland sea, as far as wind and waves go to constitute one. A Aveek since thu Lake was visited by a very strong gale, accompanied by a heavy sea. Mr Recs' boat started in the morning for the south end of the Lake, but stood in shore again to take up a man named Rogers, an intending passenger, who was too late. Rees' put off in the dingy to bring him on board, and, after some trouble, succeeded. Rogers then reached over to get his "swag" out of the little boat, and in the attempt fell overboard. The vessel was, by this time, going through the water at a smart pace, and his chance appeared to be a poor one, as he had on jack boots, and was altogether heavily clothed. Just at this moment a young man named Ellcrby, also a passenger, jumped overboard, swam to him, and succeeded in holding him up until they reached the dingy, which had been cast off. The adventure wa3 not yet over, for Rogers seeing his swag floating past (he had dropped it into the water when he himself get his first plunge), leaned over to catch it, and the dingy capsizing, both he and Tjllerby were again adrift. Mr Rees then jumped overboard and swam to their assistance, but by this time other boats were on the spot and they were picked up ; having sustained no damage beyond a thorough wetting. Southland is often taunted with the disagreeable high winds which prevail throughout her territory ( but, if the following be not a canard it would appear that she is beaten in this respect, at all events, by the sister province. Bad as we are in Invercargill, who ever heard of JEolus turning dentist ? — "A new tooth extractor," says the Daily Tunes, " was a day or two since discovered by a gentleman under somewhat singular circumstances. Proceeding along the Stewartsfcreet jetty at a time wheu it was blowing very strong, he, to sccuro his hat from being carried awy out to sea, fastened a piece of.

cord to it, and making a loop to the other end, he held it between his teeth while referring to some memoranda in his poeketboofc Suddenly and unexpectedly a strong gust of wind swept across the jetty. Off came the gentleman's liat into the sea/carrying with j t a tooth, firmly attached to the loop of the cord. Whether the gentleman intends applying for a patent to protect him from any infringement upon Jiis discovery is not at present known." The steamers and sailing vessels which arrived within the last few days have brought very considerable additions to our population, and some of them are determined to let us know that — " Blowing ia quite colonial." Last evening we were unfortunately compelled to listen to a short individual, in a remarkably tall hat, illustrating Thatcher's words to a considerable extent. He introduced himself as " a child from Victoria," and stated that it he was guaranteed " two quarter-acre sactions" in the town, he would make the road from Tnvercai'gill to the Bluff. This'is a mere nothing to what he is open to undertake, so we truet that " those la authority over us" will give this gentleman an opportunity of -displaying Iris talent in roadmakiKg. On Sunday morning our notice was attracted to a signal on the yardarm »f the flagstaff at the back of the Government buildings. Not recognising it as belonging to Marryatfs or any other code of signals that we ever heard of, the policeman on the beat was asked the meaning of the stranger's appearance. He at once proceeded to the spot and retired to consult Sergeant Chapman, who had it removed with all despatch. Who is the person in charge of the signal staff? Hesbsuldbe more careful in future.